Ambition bests honor in process to pick legislator

Tuesday

Jul 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM

A house divided will not stand — unless it's the Davidson County Republican Party. Republicans overwhelmingly win elections in the county against Democrats and Libertarians yet for all practical purposes are split into two factions. This split was on display again last week with the selection of Roger Younts to fill the remainder of Jerry Dockham's term in the N.C. House of Representatives. Dockham resigned after being appointed to the N.C. Utilities Commission.

A house divided will not stand — unless it's the Davidson County Republican Party. Republicans overwhelmingly win elections in the county against Democrats and Libertarians yet for all practical purposes are split into two factions. This split was on display again last week with the selection of Roger Younts to fill the remainder of Jerry Dockham's term in the N.C. House of Representatives. Dockham resigned after being appointed to the N.C. Utilities Commission.The average person might view the matter as inter-party squabbling, except for the fact Younts will now represent N.C. District 80 through at least next year, when the seat comes up for election. So the actions that took place when five members of the party executive committee met to pick Dockham's replacement have an impact on a wider group. And the way Younts came to be the choice leaves a poor impression of him and his few backers.Since six people expressed interest in Dockham's seat, five people and their supporters were going to be disappointed. But in the end, almost everyone in attendance for a regularly scheduled meeting of the county party Thursday after the executive committee conclave expressed disappointment about the process. Younts may have won this time, but his long-term chances of remaining in Raleigh seem dim.Younts serves as the party's treasurer and therefore sits on the executive committee. He also lives in District 80, along with five others of the 15-person committee. Those six were supposed to make the selection. Younts should have recused himself from voting immediately, since he was seeking the position. However, he didn't do that. He may have been within his rights to cast a vote for himself, but it simply doesn't look good, especially with such a small group picking the replacement. It shows someone willing to do what it takes to advance himself and will leave voters asking if that type behavior will continue now that he's in the Legislature.Note six people were supposed to vote, but one, Dwight Story, was out of town. Party chairman Lance Barrett understandably first attempted to move the meeting to another date, and when that failed the others agreed to allow Story to vote by telephone, Barrett said. But then Younts and his two backers voted against that arrangement Thursday, which ensured his 3-2 victory. He claimed he'd never agreed to allow Story to vote by telephone, so that again raises questions about just what he said and when.Despite the anger from the county party, Gov. Pat McCrory accepted Younts’ nomination Monday afternoon, and the new representative immediately went to work. Younts will almost assuredly face strong opposition in the primary next year. Any future leadership role in the local party could be called into question. Stepping aside this time could have led to a bright future within the party. Yet his ambitions took control of better judgment.